if Almighty god had so thought fit had been worthy of a longer life And that now they might put the last Scene to a Tragedy of which most part was acted after two days breathing they brought forth William Murray brother to the Earl of Tullibardin a young Gentleman to the same place And truly every man much admired that his brother being in great favour and esteem amongst the Covenanters had not interceded for the life and safety of his own only brother Some imputed it to his sloth others to his covetousnesse as gaping after his brothers estate others to his stupid and superstitious zeal to the Cause but even all the very Covenanters themselves condemned his silence in such a case as dishonourable and mis-becoming a Noble spirit But the Youth himself being not above nineteen years old purchased unto himself everlasting renown with posterity for so honest and honourable an end Amongst those few things which he spake to the people those that heard him told me these words which he spake with a higher voyce than the rest Account O my Countrymen that a new and high addition of honour is this day atchieved to the house of Tullibardin and the whole Nation of the Murrays that a young man descended of that antient stock willingly and chearfully delivered up his innocent soul as unto men in the vsry flower of his youth for his King the Father of his Country and the most munificent Patron of our Family Nor let my most honoured mother my dear sisters my kindred or any of my friends be sorry for the shortnesse of my life which is abundantly recompenced with the honourablenesse of my death Pray for my soul and God be with you CHAP. XX. THe death of his friends rroubled Montrose exceedingly as it had reason but yet it was not able to break or shake his firm and settled resolution Nor did his noble and more than ordinarily elevated spirit ever give greater evidences of it self than now For there were many who being enraged with the unworthy murther of their friends egg'd him on being already sufficiently discontented to a present revenge And whiles they too much savoured their grief although it was just and seem'd to desire nothing but what was fit to wit to render them like for like they wearied out the General with their many and troublesome and unseasonable complaints For they must needs be argry that their companions their friends their kindred noble and gallant Gentlemen well deserving of their King their Country and the General himself should be murther'd contrary to their faith promised them the custome of War the Law of the Land of Nations and of Nature and all unreveng'd and on the other side such Rebells as had been taken by him to be kept rather as in their friends houses than in prisons to rejoyce to triumph to laugh at their sorrow And therefore they humbly desired such prisoners might be tryed as Malefactors nor would the enemy be otherwise frighted from their unheard-of cruelty nor the minds of his own men othermise satisfied and raised up Whom he entertained with a curteous Speech commended them for the love they bare their friends and told them That the blood of those honourable and innocent Subjects ought to be reveng'd indeed by such a way as became honest and valiant men not by basenesse and mischief as the Rebells do but by true valour in a souldier-like way It concerned them so to tame as not to imitate the wickednesse of their enemies Nor if they considered matters well was it conscience that those that were prisoners with them and so could not be accessary unto the murther of their friends should suffer for those sins of which they were innocent The faith that they had passed unto them was a most sacred thing and to be kept inviolate even by enemies Why should they make themselves guilty of that which they so much abhorred in their enemies The time would come when they must give a severe account of it unto the most righteous God and to his Vice-gerent the King In the mean time saith he let them set a price upon our heads let them hire Assassines let them serd in their Instruments amongst us to murther us let them make promises and break them yet they shall never effect that we shall contend with them in an emulation which shall be worse or any otherwise than upon honourable and vertuous terms Now Huntley who intended nothing lesse than what he promised Montrose before his face having passed over the Spey and entered into Murray trifled away his time and wasted his strength without either honour or profit a good way off Innernesse For giving his mind too much to prey and spoil after he had wasted the Country he heard a flying report that the inhabitants had hid their gold and silver and the best of their stuff in certain turrets and obscure Castles Which whiles he assaults in vain and could neither by commands nor entreaties be taken off from his resolution the enemy sending in provision on that side which he had undertaken to block up relieved Innernesse with all things that they wanted Which if he had hindred as he undertook unto Montrose the Garrison would have been shortly forced to yeeld And Montrose having now received intelligence that Major General Middleton was come with six hundred Horse and eight hundred Foot as far as Aberdeen and was like to lay waste Huntleys and the Gordons Country sent Collonel William Stuart unto Huntley to entreat him to return again unto the siege of Innernesse according to his engagement Or if he did not approve so well of that because the enemy was advanced so near his Territories he should perswade him to joyn his Forces with his and to march immediately towards the enemy whom the doubted not with an easie hazard to overthrow To which he answered scornfully that he would look to his own businesse himself nor did he need the help and assistance of Montrose to drive the enemy out of his borders At last after ten weeks spent in the siege of a small inconsiderable Castle and the losse of all the forwardest of his men he was forced with dishonour to raife the siege when he was never the nearer And in contempt not so much of Montrose as of the Kings Majesty he retreated to the Spey without the consent or Knowledge of the Vice-roy giving thereby a very bad example to all men who began to come in thick and threefold with great eagernesse unto the Kings party Amongst whom the chiefest for wealth and power and multitudes of followers and dependents were the Earl of Seafoth the Lord Rese from the furthest Ilands Sir James Mac-donald Chief of a most powerfull and ancient family in the Highlands Macklen also and Glengar the Captain of the Mac-renalds and many more who were some of them already in Montrose's Army with their Forces others had sent for theirs And by this means before the
The Compleat HISTORY OF THE WARRS IN SCOTLAND Under the Conduct of the Illustrious and truly-valiant IAMES Marquesse OF MONTROSE General for his Majestie CHARLS 1st in that Kingdome TOGETHER VVith a brief Character of Him AS ALSO A True Relation of his Forein Negotiations Landing Defeat Apprehension Tryal and deplorable Death in the time of CHARLS 2d Now newly Corrected and Enlarged by an Eye-witnesse of all the fore-mentioned passages Printed in the Year 1660. Iaques Marquis deMontrose Counte de Kingcairne Seigneir de Graeme Baron du Mount dieus etc A Paris P Pontius sculpsit To the Reader THere are a few things of which I would not have them ignorant who shall chance to peruse this short History whereof some concern the Lord Marquesse of Montrose whose Actions in his Country for two years space are here published and others have relation to the Author of this work And first of all I desire thee to take notice that Montrose is the Chief of that antient and famous Family of the Grahams and is called in old Scotish Graham-more the great Graham He derives his Pedegree from that famous Graham in the Histories of Scotland who was Son-in-law to Fergus the second King of the Scots and was the first that with the assistance of his Father-in law cast down that Trench which Severus had made and set out for the utmost limit of the Roman Empire between the Scotish Frith and the River of Cluid at such a place where Great Brittain was narrowest and by that means cut the power of the Romans shorter Whence it happens that some evident remains of that Trench retain his name amongst the Inhabitants to this day who call it Gremesdike The same Graham from whom this noble Family took its rise surviving his Father-in-law Fergus and being a man as able for Civil as Military employment was made Protector unto his Nephew and Regent of the Kingdome and after he had fetched back the Doctors of the Christian Faith who had been banished by the late Wars and settled as well the Church as State with excellent Laws freely resigned the Government into the hands of his Nephew when he came to age He flourished in the time of the Emperours Arcadius and Honorius about the year of our Lord CCCC From whom hath descended in a fair and straight line a long and noble row of Posterity who imitating the virtue of their Ancestors have been famous in the succeeding generations Amongst whom that valiant Graham was eminent who with the help of Dumbarre so seasonably rescued his Country from the Danes who were then Masters of England and had frequently but with little success invaded Scotland with mighty Armies And in after times that noble Iohn Graham came nothing behind his Ancestors in virtue and honour who after the death of Alexander the Third in that vacation of the Kingdome while Bruce and Bailiol disputed their Titles was with that renowned Vice-roy William Walley a stout maintainer of his Countries Liberty against the unjust oppression and tyranny of Edward King of England and after many heroical exploits fighting valiantly for his Nation dyed in the bed of Honour His Tomb is yet to be seen in a Chapel which hath the name of Falkirk from the aforesaid Gremesdike by which it stands Adjoyning unto which the Marquesse of Montrose hath large and plentifull possessions descended by inheritance unto him from that first Graham But lest I should seem to derive the Nobility of so illustrious a Worthies extraction only out of the rubbish of dusty and obscure Antiquity I must not omit that his Grandfather the Earl of Montrose was advanced unto places of the greatest honour in that Kingdome and discharged them most happily For being Lord Chancellour of Scotland at such time as King James the Sixth of blessed memory came to the Crown of England he was created by him Vice-roy of Scotland and enjoyed that highest Honour which a Subject is capable of with the love and good affection both of King and People to the day of his death And his Father was a man of singular endowments both of body and mind and so known to be both in forein Countries and at home who after he had performed many most honourable Embassages for King James was called to be Lord President of the Session by King Charles and being snatched away from his Country and all good men by an untimely death was extremely lamented and missed And what we may think or hope of the Grand child I leave unto thee to judge by what he hath done already seeing he is yet now a year and a half after his employment in his Country scarce entred upon the 36. year of his age One thing more I must add three Periods already have been very dangerous and almost fatal to the Kingdome of Scotland the first by the oppression of the Romans whose yoke our Ancestors cast off by the Conduct of that first Graham descended of the noble British Family of the Fulgentii The second by the Danes the repulse of whom is owing especially to the prowesse of the second Graham aforesaid And the third by the English and Normans whom the third Graham twice expelled out of Scotland and gave them many and great defeats So that as it was of old spoken of the Scipioes in Africk it seems the name of Graham is something fatal to their enemies and lucky to their Country at a dead lift and that it was not without the special provideuce of God Almighty that in these worst times One stood up who did his best endeavours to maintain the Kings just Rights and Authority the Peace Safety and Liberty of the Subjects and the Honour and antient splendor of his House And this is all I thought good at this time to premise concerning the Lord Marquess of Montrose For the Author of the Book take it briefly thus He professeth himself to have been but little conversant in these sort of studies and expecteth neither credit or commendation for the strength of his wit which he acknowledgeth to be little or none nor reward or profit for his pains which two things are the chiefest incentives to most to wet their pen but that he undertook the businesse meerly out of a desire to propagate the truth to other Nations and to posterity For he saw by late and lamentable experience in such a cause as this that prosperous Villany can find more Advocates than down-cast Truth and Goodnesse For when the same Confederates in both Kingdomes had by their own arts that is by lying and slandering ruined the Church to fill their bags with its Revenews so sacrilegiously purloyned and enrich their posterity with plentifull Anathemaes and accursed things there wanted no store of men that extolled them for it to the skies as men deserving highly from their Country from the Church it self and from all mankind and reviled with all sort of reproaches and contumelies the most religious servants of God holy Martyrs
and being himself out of gun-shot stand spectatour of other mens valour and well too At the break of day Montrose ordered his men as he intended to fight and the enemy were as forward to doe the like For they did not yet think that Montrose was there as some prisoners afterwards confessed but some Collonel or Captain of his with a party only of his forces When the Sun was up on the second of February which is Candelmass day a trumpet sounding struck no small terrour into the enemy For besides that attumpet shewed they had Horse with them and therefore was a sound with which those parts were little acquainted it discovered also that Montrose himself was there Neverthelesse the prime of the Campbells that 's the sirname of Argyle's family being gallant men and stout and deserving to fight under a better Chieftain in a better cause cheerfully begin the battell But their souldiers that were in the Front having only once discharged their muskets and Montrose's men pressing on fiercely to come to the dint of sword began to run Whom they raising a great shout so eagerly pursued that as it were at one assault they routed them all and had the killing of them with a most horrible slaughter for nine miles together Of the enemy were slain fifteen hundred among whom were very many Gentlemen of the Campbells who were chief men of the family and of good account in their country who fighting but too valiantly for their Chieftain had deaths answerable to their names and fell in Campobelli in the Field of War I cannot say the bed of Honour Their fortune Montrose extremely lamented and saved as many of them as he was able taking them into his protection whiles Argyle himself being gotten into a boat and rowed a little way off the shore securely look'd on whiles his kindred and souldiers were knockt on the head Some Colonels and Captains that Argyle had brought thither out of the Low-lands fled into the Castle whom when the Castle was surrendred and quarter was given unto them Montrose used curteously and after he had done them several good offices of humanity and charity freely let them depart In this fight Montrose had many wounded but none slain saving three private souldiers but the joy of this great victory was much abated by the wounds of that truly honourable Sir Thomas Ogilby Son to the Earl of Airley of which after a few days he dyed He was one of Montrose's dearest friends one who had done very good service for the King in England under the Command of his Father-in-law the Lord Ruthien Earl of Forth and Branceforde a man known all the world over for his noble archievements Nor was he lesse a scholar than a souldier being a new ornament to the family of the Ogilbies whose honourable deaths-wounds for his King and Country had no small influence upon that days victory Montrose being very much afflicted with the losse of him causeth his body to be carried into Athole where he was interred with as sumptuous a funeral as that place and those times could afford But the power of the Campbells in the Highlands which for these many ages past hath been formidable to their neighbours was by this overthrow clearly broken to pieces and by it also a way opened unto Montrose to doe his businesse the more easily thence forward For the Highlanders being warlike men and let loose from the hated tyranny of Argyle now began to offer themselves willingly unto the Kings service CHAP. IX THe souldier who was almost spent with this sore travell having refreshed himself for a few dayes Montrose measuring over again Logh-Aber hills returneth to Logh-Nesse And from thence viewing by the way the coasts of Harrick Arne and Narne came to the river of Spey Here he is told that there was no small party of the enemy at Elgin which is the chief town of Murray a Country beyond the Spey Montrose hies towards these either to draw them to his side or to suppresse them but the very report of his advancing blew away that cloud for they in great amazement shifted for themselves every one whither he could Montrose neverthelesse goes on his march and takes in Elgin by surrender on the fourteenth day of February At which time the Lord Gordon eldest Sonne to the Marquesse of Huntley a man who can never be sufficiently commended for his excellent endowments came off openly to the Kings side from his Uncle by whom he had been detained against his will and with not many but very choise friends and clients voluntarily did his duty and offered his service to Montrose as the Kings Deputy and Vicegerent Montrose first welcomed him with all civility and gave him many thanks afterwards when he came to understand him more inwardly joyned him unto himself in the entirest bonds of friendship and affection Now because the inhabitants of Murray were extremely addicted to the Covenanters they hid themselves in their lurking places nor were any supplies to be expected from men so maliciously disposed Therfore he drew his Forces to this side the Spey to raise the Countries of Bamph and Abordeen by the presence example and authority of the Lord Gordon So having got together what forces he could in those places with two thousand Foot and two hundred Horse passing the river of Dee he came into Marne and encamped not farre from Fethercarne At Breichin some seven miles from thence Sir John Hurrey a stout man and an active and famous also in forein parts for Military exploits being General of the Horse for the Covenanters had the Command over the whole Forces there He came out with six hundred Horse to discover the strength of Montrose he conceived Montrose had but very few Foot and no Horse and if he should but descend into the plain he made account to make short work with him and howsoever it should happen he made no question but to secure himself Montrose to draw him on hid the rest of his men in a bottome and made shew only of his two hundred Horse but lined them as he used with his nimblest Musquetiers Which Horse when Hurrey saw and observed they were so few he drew up his men and charged But when he perceived too late the Foot that ran close after Montrose's Horse he sounded a retreat and Hurrey himself turning his men before him behaved himself stoutly in the rear When they turned their backs Montrose's souldiers drive on let fly and lay about them untill being got over the river of Eske the enemy scarce safe under the protection of Night betook themselves to shelter nor did they think themselves secure till after a race of four and twenty miles long they came to Dundee Then they that had pursued them so far returned to Fethercarne and thence the next day to Breichin Here Montrose understood that Baily a Commander of great account had been fetched out of England to be General of the enemies Forces that Hurrey
beating up quarters in the night did so much weaken their power and courage that they that were so haughtily daring but a while ago as well Commanders as Souldiers hastily and disorderly betook themselves by night to Innernesse when none pursued them Montrose was not much displeased that he was so rid of his enemy especially for this reason the Earl of Lindsey the prime ringleader of the Covenanters next unto Argyle and his rivall too as being brother-in-law to Duke Hamilton used to give out that Argyle wanted either care or courage and howsoever it came to passe was still unfortunate And therefore he took upon himself the command of that Army which was newly raised as if he would assay to manage the businesse with better conduct And now he had passed over with his forces into Angus intending to be a Reserve unto Baily and if any thing should happen othewise than well at the worst he was ready to hinder Montrose's passage over Forth For they were alwayes very jealous lest Montrose should remove the sent of Warr to this side the Forth and nearer Edinburgh Therefore he resolved with all speed to quell Lindsey who lay yet in Angus at a Castle called Newtill both because the General was no souldier and the souldiers raw and unacquainted with the hardship of Warr. In pursute of which design departing from Badenoth he marcheth through the plains of Marre over Gransbain and came by long and painfull journies unto the coast of the river of Airley intending to surprise the enemy on a sudden which was easie to be done for he had made such haste that the news of his approach was not so swift as himself And now Lindsey was not above seven miles from him and all things were ready for an assault when upon what occasion it is uncertain almost all the Northern men privatly ran away from their colours and going back the way that they came return into their Country The Lord Gordon was in the Camp and there was none there that detested that villany with greater indignation than he in so much that Montrose had much adoe to with-hold him from putting such of the fugitives to death as had any dependence upon him Some stick not to say that these men were inveigled away by the private directions of his father the Marquesse of Huntley to the Earl of Aboine who by reason of his sicknesse was absent For it vext Huntley a haughty and envious man to hear of the successe of Montrose nor could he endure that inward friendship which was between his eldest son and him However it was Montrose being cast down with this unexpected misfortune was forced to put off that Expedition against Lindsey and to suffer patiently so great and easie a victory to be taken out of his hands Therfore taking up new resolutions he followeth after Collonel Nathaniel Gordon a valiant man and a trusty and welbeloved in his Country whom he had sent before And by this time Baily and Hurrey had returned from Innernesse and quartered in lower Marre by the side of Dee And Montrose came by the coasts of Eske and the plains of Marre into the heart of that Country commonly called Cromarre And whiles he passed through those plains aforesaid he dispatched Mac-donald with a party into the furthest part of the Highlands to conduct such Forces as were there raised with all speed unto the Army Afterward he sent away the Lord Gordon himself to hasten and promote that levy of men which Nathaniel Gordon was listing by all the power and interests he had in those parts Which he most diligently performed and amongst others brought his Brother the Earl of Aboine back with him Whilest these things passed in Cromarre Lindsey joynes his Forces with Baily in lower Marre with whom Montrose finding himself unable to deal the most part of his Forces being gone along with the Lord Gordon and Mac-donald he stept aside to the ruinated Castle of Kargarf lest the enemy should overlay him on the champain grounds with their multitudes both of Horse and Foot but when he was close unto the Mountains he feared them not From hence Aboine falling sick again betook himself to Strathbogy and upon pretence of a guard carried along with him a considerable number of Horse whom his Brother the Lord Gordon had much adoe afterward to draw back to their colours In the mean time Lindsey took a thousand old Souldiers from Baily and gave him as many raw and new rais'd men for them and as if he intended to doe some famous exploit returning through Merne into Angus with all the pains he took he did only this he ranged with his Army up and down Athole and after he had robbed and spoiled all the Country he set it on fire In this imitating Argyle who was the first that in this age introduced that cruel and dreadful president of destroying houses and corn 〈◊〉 being better at fire than sword when they came into empty fields and towns unmann'd Baily at that time went to Bogy to besiege the fairest castle that belonged to the Marquesse of Huntley and indeed of all the North and in case he failed to take it in to waste and fire all the Country of the Gordons there-abouts Montrose although Mac-donald was absent with a great party thought it necessary to relieve Huntley and his friends whom he laboured to assure unto himself by all good offices and hied thither Where having notice that Baily's souldiers though not all yet a great part were new rais'd men for he had parted with so many old souldiers to Lindsey desired nothing more than without delay to fight him and marcheth straight towards him He had not gone above three miles before he discovered the enemies Scouts He therefore sent before some of his readiest men that knew the wayes to view the strength the rendezvouz and the order of the enemy They immediately bring word that the Foot stood on the top of a hill some two miles off and the Horse had possessed themselves of a narrow and troublesome passe which lay almost in the middle between the two Armies and were come on this side it Against them Montrose sent such Horse as he had in a readinesse with some nimble Firelocks whom they first entertained with light skirmishes afarre off and after retreated behind the passe which they had strongly mann'd with Musquetiers Montrose sends for the Foot that if it were possible they might dislodge the enemy from thence but it could not be done for they were parted by the fall of the night which both sides passed over waking and in their arms The next day Montrose sends a Trumpet to offer a set battell but Baily answers he would not receive order to fight from an enemy He therefore seeing he could not drive the enemy from those passes without manifest losse and danger that he might draw him out thence in some time marcheth off to Pitlurge and from thence to a Castle of
which he out-went all his Equals the gallantry of his person in Warr his patience in travells his evennesse of spirit in dangers his wisdom in counsells his faithfulnesse to such as submitted his quicknesse in dispatches his courtesie to such as he took prisoners in a word his truly heroick virtue in all things and towards all men And this honour most men gave him in good earnest and out of a sincere affection but some in craft and dissimulation and as every one had wit or skill they set forth his Encomiums or Panegyricks in Verse or Prose Yea such is the volubility of humane things and the inconstancy of the whirling multitude that they were not affraid openly to curse and rail at the ringleaders and prime men of the Covenanters Faction such as Argyle Lindsey Loudon and others whom a while agoe they honoured and adored for Saints as authours of all the mischiefs that had befaln them All things going on thus happily the Northern parts of the Kingdome being secured on his back the way being opened unto him into the South the power of the Rebells every where quash'd their chief leaders who in conscience of their guilt despaired of mercy driven out of the Kingdome and no considerable party remaining in arms yet in the West their were some stirrs For the Earls of Cassils and Eglington and some other promoters of the Covenanters Cause laboured to engage the Countries in a new Warr and were said to have rais'd in a tumultuary way the number of four thousand men Therefore Montrose the next day after the Battell of Kilsythe drew his men into Cluidsdale from whence the Earl of Lanerick being struck with the news of their late overthrow disbanding those men that he had rais'd was fled Montrose chose that quarter as lying most commodiously for his affairs in the South and West and marched to Glascow which is the principal City of that Countrey He receiv'd the Town into his protection and entring into it with the joyfull acclamations of the people first of all he restrained his Souldiers from plunder and then being severe against the delinquents for the terrour of others he put some of the chiefest incendiaries of them to death After that in favour of the Citizens the next day after he came he departed the Town and quartered at Bothwell Where because it was but six miles from the City lest the Citizens should be prejudiced by the insolence of the Souldiers he gave them leave to stand upon their guard and defend the City with a Garrison of the inhabitants Hoping with such acts of clemency to engage not only the men of Glascow unto himself but the inhabitants of other Cities also by good offices more than by force and Arms. At Bothwell he staid many daies where he received the personal addresses of some of the Nobility and of others by their Trustees Friends and Messengers and setled the peace of Towns and Countries thereabouts who all willingly submitted themselvs The chief of the inhabitants of those parts who came to welcome him and offer their service were the Marquesse of Douglasse a man of most noble family and chief of the Douglasses the Earl of Lithgow Anandale and Hartfield the Lord Barons of Seton Drummond Fleming Maderty Carnegy and Jonston Hamilton of Orbeston Charter of Hemps-field Toures of Innerleith a most deserving man who afterwards lost his life gallantly in battell Stuart of Resyth Dalyel a brother of the Earl of Carnwarth Knights and many more whose names I can either not rightly call to mind or else think fit to forbear at present lest by giving them an unseasonable and thanklesse commendation now whiles they lie under intolerable tyranny I should doe them more harm than honour After the victory of Kilsythe no thoughts had higher place in Montrose's noble breast than the enlargement of such Prisoners as for no other fault but the sin of Loyalty had been most basely used and still expected death in the grievous and filthy Gaol of Edinburgh Therefore he sends his Nephew Napier with Collonel Nathaniel Gordon and a commanded party of Horse to Edinburgh to summon the City and receive it upon surrender to set the Prisoners at liberty and to settle the Town in peace and loyalty but in case they stood out and refused to submit to threaten them with fire and sword They as soon as they came within four miles of the Town made a stand and intended to come no nearer unlesse they chanced to be forced unto it by the obstinacy of the Citizens as well that at that distance they might the more easily restrain the unrulinesse of the Souldiers lest they should wrong the poor inhabitants and in their fury reduce that cursed City which had been the cause and fomenter of all the Rebellion into ashes which Montrose gave them especially in charge by all cleans to prevent as also to preserve the Army safe from the plague which was hot in the City and places adjacent and whereof very many dyed every day Assoon as ever the news of their approach was brought unto the Town they all began to tremble and despair of their lives and to raise a cry as if the swords were already at their throats or their houses in a flame Not a few of them being pricked in their guilty consciences freely and openly accus'd themselves for the most ungrateful traiterous sacrilegious and perjured persons in the world and unworthy of any mercy Then applying themselves unto the Prisoners they had both calling unto them a far off and sending private messengers they implored their assistance and besought them in compassion of the poor silly people who were almost wasted with a great mortality to pacifie the anger of the Conquerours whom they had most justly incensed told them all their hopes lay in them and they were utterly undone without their help Protested moreover that if they found mercy but that one time they would redeem their former revolt with more religious fidelity and constant Allegiance ever after The Prisoners whom but the other day the basest of the people bitterly abused and reviled cursing and bequeathing them to the gallows and worse forgetting all injuries receiv'd and more troubled with the sense than revenge of their sufferings first rendred hearty thanks to Almighty God who of his mercy shewed unto them that liberty and safety which they little expected and then turning unto their deadly enemies bade them be of good chear for the most gracious King and his Lieutenant Montrose desired the safety and happinesse of his repenting Subjects and not their extirpation and ruine Therefore they advised them immediately to send some Delegates to Montrose humbly to beg his pardon for nothing could better appease the rage of a Conquerour than a speedy submission For their parts they would not be backward to mediate with him for their safety and doubted not but his high and noble spirit which could not be vanquished with their arms would yet suffer
him by his presence to make more haste into the South For his design was as soon as he had joyned his forces with Areskins and Airleys and sent for Mac-donald and other Highlanders and taken up the Athole-men by the way to march in a great body straight over the Forth and so both to meet the Kings Horse and to fright the enemy upon their apprehension of an imminent danger to themselves from putting the prisoners to death For he conceived they dnrst not be so bold as to execute their malice upon men of Nobility and Eminency as long as they had an enemy in the Field and the victory was uncertain And truly they being doubtfull and solicitous what might be the successe of so great warlike preparations as they knew were in providing did deferre the execution of the prisoners Montrose upon his journey found the Lord Areskin very sick but his clients whose fidelity and valour he had sundry experiences of even in the absence of their Lord all in a readinesse if Aboine did but doe his part for they depended much upon his example and authority And now the Marquesse of Huntley after he had playd least in sight for a year and some months it is hard to say whether awaken'd with the news of so many victories obtained by Montrose and the reducing of the Kingdome or by the deceitfull influence of some bad starr was returned home An unfortunate man and unadvised who howsoever he would seeme most affectionate unto the Kings Cause and perhaps was so yet he endeavoured by a close and dishonourable envy rather to extenuate Montrose's glory than out-vie it Which seeing it was not for his credit openly to professe even before his own men who were sufficient witnesses of Montrose's admirable vertues lest by that he should discover some symptomes of a heart alienated from the King yet he gave out that for the time to come he would take upon himself the conduct of the Warr against the Rebells therefore he commanded his Tenants and advised his friends and neighbours scarce without threats to fight under no command but his own And then they replyed What shall we then answer to the Commands of the Marquesse of Montrose whom the King hath declared General Governour of the Kingdome and General of the Army He made answer That he himself would not be wanting to the Kings service but however it concerned much both his and their honour that the King and all his men should know what assistance they had given him which could not otherwise be done than by serving in a body by themselves Moreover he fell to magnifie his own power and to undervalue Montrose's to extoll unto the skies the noble Acts of his Ancestors men indeed worthy of all honour to tell them That the Gordons power had been formidable to their neighbours for many ages by-gone and was so yet That it was most unjust that the atchievements gotten with their blood and prowesse should be accounted upon another mans meaning Montrose's score but for the future he would take a course that neither the King should be defrauded of the service of the Gordons nor the Gordons of their deserved honour favour and reward All these things the simpler sort took to be spoken upon all the grounds of equity and honour in the world but as many as were understanding men and knew better the disposition of the person saw through those expressions a mind too rancorous and altogether indispos'd towards Montrose and that his aim was to fetch off as many as he could from him not only to the utter ruine of the King and Kingdom but even to his own destruction which God knows the sad event made too manifest Nor were there wanting amongst them desperate men and of good fore-sight who condemned this counsell of his as unwise unseasonable and pernicious even to himself For they considered with themselvs that he never had any design that did not miscarry either by bad play or bad luck That businesses were better carried by Montrose and it was ill to make a faction upon the poor pretence of his carrying away the honour of it For if Huntley joyned his Forces and communicated his counsels unto Montrose he should not be only able to defend himself but subdue his enemies and gain unto himself the everlasting honour of being one of the Kings Champions but if he should make a breach in that manner it would prove not only dishonourable but destructive unto him That Montrose it could not be denyed had got many and eminent victories with the assistance of the Huntleys but they had done nothing of note without him Therefore they earnestly desired him constantly to adhere unto the Kings Lieutenant which as it would be both acceptable and advantageous to the King so it would be well taken with good men and honourable to himself Nor did some of them fear to professe openly that they would yeeld their duty and service to Montrose if Huntley should stand out in his humour and they were as good as their words But he refusing the advice of his friends resolved what ever came on 't to run counter to Montrose nor did Montrose ever propose any thing though never so just or honourable or advantageous which he would not crosse or reject And if at any time Montrose condescended to his opinion which he did often and of purpose he would presently turn his mind seeming to comply with him sometimes before his face but alwayes averse unto him behind his back and indeed scarce well agreeing with his own self For all this Aboine being at that time solicited by many expresses from Montrose and the importunity of his own friends that he might be some way as good as his word met him with a considerable party at Dâ—â—minore a Castle of the Lord Forbeses He brought with him fifteen hundred Foot and three hundred Horse all cheerfulI and ready to undergo any hazard under the command of Montrose And truly assoon as ever they met Aboine freely protested he would carry those men that he had whithersoever the Lord Governour should lead him but there were many more behind which for his scantnesse of time he had not got together which his brother Lewis would bring him Montrose extolling highly his fidelity and pains turned back again almost the same way he came that taking up the Lord Areskins and the Marre Forces by the way and climbing over Grainsbaine he might fall down into Athole and Angus not doubting within a fortnight to be able to passe over the Forth with a great Army The first dayes journey Aboine and his men marched with a good will but the next night his brother Lewis whom Montrose had placed under the command of the Earl of Crawford conveighed himself homewards with a strong party of Horse making as if he meant to encounter some Troops of the enemy and carryed along with him as many souldiers as he could get upon pretence of a guard
Crawford returning brought word that Lewis was gone home but would be back again next day for so he had made him believe though he intended nothing lesse than to come back a Youth liable to censure for more feats than that But when upon the third day they came to Alford it was observed that Aboines men were slow to stand to their colours that they loytered in their march that their ranks were thin and disordered and that they ran away by whole companies almost every night and at last their Commander Aboine himself was not ashamed to desire to be excused and to have leave to depart When all men wondered and desired to know what might be the reason of that sudden alteration of his resolution he pleaded his fathers Commands which he was oblig'din no case to disobey and that his father had not sent him such directions without just occasion for the enemies Forces lay in lower Marre and would be presently upon their backs if they were deprived of the protection of their own men and that it was unexcusable folly for him to carry his men another way when his own Country was in so much danger Montrose reply'd That it was most certain that only a few Troops of Horse kept within Aberdeen that they had no Foot at all and those few Horse nor durst nor could doe the Country any harm and there was no doubt but upon the first alarm of his approach their Commanders would send for those also to secure the Low-lands Besides that it would be much more to the Marquesse of Huntleys advantage if the seat of Warr were removed into the enemies Country than be kept up in his own and upon that score there was more need to make haste into the South that they might save the North from the burden of the Armies He added moreover That he daily expected aids out of England which could by no means joyn with them except they met them on the South-side the Forth And at last with much resentment he represented unto him the condition of the prisoners who were many of them Huntley's own kindred allies or friends who would all be unhumanly murthered except they timely prevented it To all this when Aboine had nothing to answer he desired his father might be acquainted with the whole matter and 't was granted Such were made choice of to treat with Huntley as were conceived to be highest in his favour to wit Donald Lord Rese in whose Country he had sojourned and Alexander Irwin the younger of Drumme who had but the other day married Huntleys daughter and both of them were also much obliged to Montrose for their newly recovered liberties Rese being ashamed of receiving the repulse had not the confidence to return and Irwin a Noble young Gentleman and a stout who stuck to Montrose to the last brought no answer but his father-in-laws ambiguous Letters of which no hold could be taken Being desired to deliver what he conceived his father-in-laws resolution was he professed ingenuously he knew not what to make of him he could get no certain answer but doubted he was obstinate in his fond conceit Ahoine first declaring how sore against his will it was to part from Montrose urged how necessary it was for him to please his dear Father who was sickly too and therefore more earnestly desired the Lord Governor to dispence with him for a few dayes till he could pacifie his Father and made an absolute promise that within a fortnight he would follow him with much stronger Forces And when he had often and freely engaged his honour to do as he said he extorted with much ado a Furlogh from Montrose sore against his Stomach to be absent for the time aforesaid Aboine being returned home Montrose marched over the plains of Marre and Scharschioch and came down into Athole and thence having a little increased his Army into the Sherifdom of Perth where receiving an express out of the North he is put into new hopes Aboine having sent him word he would be with him with his men before the day appointed At the same time came unto him by several wayes Captain Thomas Ogilby of Pourie the younger and Captain Robert Nesbit both of them sent unto him from His Majesty with Commands that if he could possibly he should make all speed towards the Borders to meet the Lord George Digby Son to the Earl of Bristol who was sent unto him with a party of Horse The same Bearers Montrose dispatcheth to Huntley and Aboine to communicate unto them those Instructions from the King hoping by that means being quickned with His Majesties authority and the approach of aid they would make more haste with their Forces in the vain expectation of whom he had trifled away too much time in Strath-Erne About this time the Lord Napier of Marchiston departed this life in Athole a man of a most innocent life and happy parts a truly Noble Gentleman and Chief of an Antient Family one who equalled his Father and Grandfather Napiers Philosophers and Mathematicians famous through all the world in other things but far exceeded them in his dexterity in civil business a man as faithful unto as highly esteemed by King James and King Charles sometime he was Lord Treasurer and was deservedly advanced into the rank of the higher Nobility and since these times had expressed so much loyalty and love to the King that he was a large partaker of the rewards which Rebels bestow upon Vertue often Imprisonment Sequestration and Plunder This man Montrose when he was a Boy look'd upon as a more tender Father when he was a youth as a most Sage Admonitor when he was Man as a most faithful Friend and now that he died was no otherwise affected with his death than as if it had been his Fathers Whose most elaborate Discourses Of the Right of Kings and Of the original of the turmoils of Great Britain I heartily wish may some time come to light CHAP. XVIII MOntrose when he had waited for Aboine with his forces out of the North now three weeks either on his march or in Strath-Erne and perceived that the Rebels began to grow more out rageous towards the prisoners being impatient of further delay crosseth over the Forth and came into Leven and he encamped upon the land of Sir John Buchanan the Ring-leader of the Covenanters in those parts expecting that by that means lying so near Glascow he might fright the Rebels who then kept a Convention of Estates there from the murther of the prisoners To which end facing the City every day with his horse he wasted the enemies Country without any resistance although at that time for the guard of the Estates and City they had three thousand Horse in their quarters and he not full three hundred and twelve hundred foot Notwithstanding before his coming down into Leven the Covenanters as soon as they understood that Huntley and Montrose agreed not and that Aboine and his
men had deserted him in upper Marre as a Prologue to the ensuing Tragedy had beheaded three stout and gallant Gentlemen The first was Sir William Rollock one of whom we have had often occasion to make honourable mention a valiant and expert man dear unto Montrose from a Child and faithful unto him to his last breath The chief of his Crimes was That he would not pollute his hands with a most abominable murder For being sent from Montrose with an express to the King after the battel of Aberdeen he was taken prisoner by the Enemy and was condemned unto death which he had not escaped except for fear of death he had harkened unto Argyle who most unworthily set a price upon Montroses head and promised great rewards honours and preferments to whomsoever should bring it in and had taken upon himself to commit that Treason which he abhorred with all his soul By which shift having his life and liberty given him he returned straight to Montrose and discovered all unto him beseeching him to be more careful of himself for not he only who heartily detested so high a villany but many more had been offered great matters most of whom would use their best endeavours to dispatch him The next was Alexander Ogilby of whom we also spake before eldest Son to Sir John Ogilby of Innerwharite descended of an antient Family and much renowned in the Scotish Chronicles He was but yet a youth scarce twenty but valiant above his age and of a present and daring spirit Nor can I hear or so much as conjecture what they had to lay to his charge but that new and unheard-of Treason to wit his bounden duty and loyalty to his King But there was no help for 't but Argyle must needs sacrifice that hopeful youth if it had been for nothing but his names sake for he bare an implacable fewd to the Ogilbies The third was Sir Philip Nesbit of on antient Family also and chief of it next his Father who had done honourable service in the Kings Army in England and had the command of a Regiment there Nor can I discover any reason they had to put him to death neither besides that which is used when they have nothing else to say that mad charge of the new High Treason except it was that their guilty consciences suggested unto them that that couragious and vigilant man might take occasion some time hereafter to be even with them for the horrid injuries they had done his Father and his Family However these men suffered a Noble death with patience and constancy as became honest men and good Christians And unto these there are two brave Irish Gentlemen that deserve to be joined Colonel O-Chaen and Colonel Laghlin odious unto the Rebels only for this impardonable crime that they had had many experiments of their courage and gallantry These Irish Gentlemen were murdered indeed at Edinbourgh but many more were doom'd to the like execution at Glascow had not Montrose's unexpected approch within a few miles of the City had so much influence that it repriev'd them till another time The Lord Governor was very much perplexed with the news of these mens death and it was a question whether he was more vext at the cruelty of the Rebels or the negligence if not treachery of his friends For besides Huntley whose Forces he had so long in vain expected to come with his Son Aboine Mac-donald also himself of whom he entertained an exceeding good opinion being often sent unto and invited also by the nearness of the place although the time appointed by himself was already past and gone made no appearance of his approach Six weeks had now passed since Aboine had engaged himself for the Northern Forces and the Winter than which our age never saw sharper was already deeply entred Besides the aids that the King had sent under the Command of the Lord Digby were defeated all which might easily have been salved and the Kingdom reduced again if those great Professors of Loyalty had not plaid fast and loose in that good Cause Therefore at last on the 20. of November Montrose deâ—arting from Levin and passing over the Mountains of Taich now covered with deep snow through woods and loghes whose names I do not at this time well remember crossing also through Strath-Erne and over the Tay returned into Athole There he met Captain Ogilby and Captain Nesbit whom he had formerly sent with the Kings instructions unto Huntley And they bring word the man was obstinate and inflexible who would believe nothing that they said and when they unfolded unto him the Kings Commands answered scornfully That he understood all the Kings business better than they or the Governor himself and neither he nor any of his children should have any thing to do with him Moreover he sharply and threatningly reproved his friends and clients who had willingly assisted Montrose and dealt worse with them than with Rebels Nevertheless the Lord Governor thought best to take no notice of any of these things but bear with them and whiles he treats with the Athole-men for the setling of the Militia of that Country he sends again unto Huntley by Sir John Dalyel as a more fit Mediator of friendship Who was to inform him of the danger the King and Kingdom was in and so of the present misery that hung over his and all faithful Subjects heads and to make it appear unto him that it was no ones but his and his sons fault both that they had not brought in the supplies into Scotland which the King had sent and that the prisoners who were gallant and faithful men had been so cruelly butchered and that yet there were many more remaining that had near relations to Huntley himself and some also of the prime Nobility whom the Rebels would cut off after the same fashion unless they were now at last relieved And lastly to pray and beseech him that at least he would grant the Kings Governor the favour of a friendly conference promising he would give him abundant satisfaction Huntley although he answered Dalyel in all things according ro his wonted peevishness yet he was most of all averse to a Conference as fearing seeing he should have nothing to answer to his Arguments and Reasons the Presence the Confidence and the Wisdom of so excellent a Man But Montrose as soon as things were setled in Athole that he might leave nothing unattempted that might possibly bring him to better thoughts resolved dissembling all injuries and obliging him by all good offices to surprize him and be friends with him whether he would or no and to treat with him concerning all things that concerned His Majesties service Therefore in the month of December he forced his way very hardly thorow Rivers and Brooks that were frozen indeed but not so hard as to bear mens weight over the tops of Hills and craggy Rocks in a deep Snow and passing through Angus and over Gransbaine
paper which was contrary to the King his Crown or Authority he utterly disavowed it Then being absolved from the sentence of Excommunication under which he lay for Adultery long since committed to the great grief of the beholders he laid down his neck upon the block A man subject indeed to that fault but famous for his valour and souldiership both in forein Countries and at home The next that was brought upon the Scaffold yet reeking with the blood of Colonel Gordon was a man worthy of everlasting memory Sir Robert Spotswood one rais'd by the favour of King James and King Charls unto great honours as his singular virtues did merit King James made him a Knight and a privy Counsellor King Charls advanced him to be Lord President of the Session and now but of late Principal Secretary of Scotland This excellent man although his very enemies had nothing to lay to his charge through all his life they found guilty of high Treason which is yet the more to be lamented because he never bore arms against them for his eminency lay in the way of peace not knowing what belonged to drawing of a sword This was therefore the only charge that they laid against him That by the Kings command he brought his Letters Patents unto Montrose whereby he was made Vice-Roy of the Kingdom and General of the Army Nevertheless he proved at large that he had done nothing in that but according to the custom of their Ancestors and the Laws of the Land And truly he seemed in his most elegant Defence to have given satisfaction to all men except his Judges whom the Rebels had pick'd out from amongst his most malicious enemies that sought his death so that questionless they would never have pronounc'd that doleful sentence if they had but the least tincture of justice or honesty But to speak the truth a more powerful envy than his innocency was able to struggle with undid the good man for the Earl of Lanerick having been heretofore Principal Secretary of the Kingdom of Scotland by his revolt unto the Rebels forced the most gracious and bountiful King to the whole Family of the Hamiltons to take that Office from so unthankful a man and bestow it on another nor was there any one found more worthy than Spotswood to be advanced to so high an honour And hence hapned that great weight of envy and revenge to be thrown upon him which seeing he was not able to bear out he was forced to fall under And now Spotswood being about to die abating nothing of his wonted constancy and gravity according to the custom of the Country made a Speech unto the people But that Sacrilegious thief Blair who stood by him upon the Scaffold against his will fearing the eloquence and undauntedness of so gallant a man lest the mysteries of Rebellion should be discovered by one of his gravity and authority unto the people who use most attentively to hear and tenaciously to remember the words of dying men procured the Provost of the City who had been once a servant to Spotswoods Father to stop his mouth Which insolent and more than ordinary discourtesie he took no notice of but letting his speech unto the people alone he wholly bestowed himselfe in devotions and prayers to Almighty God Being interrupted again and that very importunately by that busie and troublesome fellow Blair and asked Whether he would not have him and the people to pray for the salvation of his soul He made answer That he desired the Prayers of the people but for his impious Prayers which were abominable unto God he desired not to trouble him And added moreover That of all the Plagues with which the offended Majesty of God had scourged that Nation this was much the greatest greater than the Sword or Fire or Pestilence that for the sins of the people God hath sent a lying spirit into the mouth of the Prophets With which free and undeniable saying Blair finding himself galled grew so extremely in passion that he could not hold from scurrilous and contumelious language against his Father who had been long dead and against himself who was now a dying approving himself a fine Preacher of Christian Patience and Longanimity the while But all these things Spotswood having his mind fixed upon higher matters passed by with silence and unmoved At last being undaunted and shewing no alteration neither in his voice nor countenance when he laid down his neck to the fatal stroke these were his last words Merciful Jesu gather my soul unto thy Saints and Martyrs who have run before me in this race And certainly seeing Martyrdom may be undergone not only for the Confession of our Faith but for any vertue by which holy Men make their Faith Manifest there is no doubt but he hath received that Crown And this was the end a doleful end indeed in regard of us but a joyful and honourable one in him of a man admirable for his knowledge of things Divine and Humane for his skill in the tongues Hebrew Chaldee Syriack Arabick besides the Western Languages for his knowledge in History Law and Politiques the Honour and Ornament of his Country and our Age for the integrity of his life for his Fidelity for his Justice for his Constancy a man of an even temper and ever agreeing with himself whose youth had no need to be ashamed of his child-hood nor his riper years of his youth a severe observer of the old-fashion'd piety with all his soul and yet one that was no vain and superstitious Professor of it before others a man easie to be made a friend and very hard to be made an enemy and who being now dead was exceedingly lamented even by many Covenanters His breathless body Hugh Scrimiger once his Fathers servant took care to bring forth as the times would permit with a private funeral Nor was he long able to bear so great a sorrow and loss for after a few days espying that bloody Scaffold not yet removed out of the place immediately he fell into a swoond and being carried home by his servants and neighbours died at his very door Lastly they give unto Spotswood another companion in death Andrew Gutherey Son unto the most desâ—â—â—ing Bishop of Murray and hated the more by the Rebels for that A youth as well valiant in battel as constant in suffering and contemning death He also was threatned and railed at by the same Elaire but answered That no greater honour could have been done him than to be put to an honest death in the behalf of so good a King and so just a Cause which those that were present should see he embraced without fear and perhaps another generation would not report without praise For his sins he humbly begged mercy and forgivenesse at the hands of his most gracious Lord God but for that which he stood there condemned he was not much troubled After this manner died with constancy and courage a man who
them about his neck saying Thongh it hath pleased His Sacred Majesty that now is to make him one of the Knights of the most Honourable Order of the Garter yet he did not think himself more Honoured by the Garter than by that cord with the Books which he would embrace about his neck with as much joy and content as ever he did the Garter or a chain of gold and therefore desired them to be tied unto him as they pleased When this was done and his ams tyed he asked the Officers If they had any more Dishonour as they conceived it to put upon him he was ready to accept it And so with an undaunted Courage and Gravitie suffered according to the Sentence past upon him THe death of the noble Marquesse was not bewailed as a private losse but rather as a publique calamitie The greatest Princes in Europe expressed no small sorrow for his unhappy end And indeed we have not had in this latter Age a man of more eminent parts either of body or of mind He was a man not very tall nor much exceeding a middle stature but of exceeding strong composition of body and incredible force with excellent proportion and feature Dark brown hayr'd sanguine complexion a swift and peircing gray eye with a high nose somewhat like the antient signe of the Persian Kings Magnamity He was of a most resolute and undaunted spirit which began to appear in him to the wonder and expectation of all men even in his childhood Whom would it not have startled to attempt as he did at his first entry into Scotland a journey wherein he could not almost escape discovery all passes being so laid for him but even when he was known and almost made publike he proceeded in his intention He was a man of a very Princely courage and excellent addresses which made him for the most part be us'd by all Princes with extraordinary familiarity A compleat Horseman and had a singular grace in riding Nor is it lesse wonderful how in so great scarcity of all things when warre in that Country is but tedious with the greatest plenty it can afford he could patiently endure so much distresse Nor is it lesse to be wondred at how he could win so much upon those Irish who had no tie to him either of Country Language or Religion as he did More especially when they wanted not all manner of temptation that either their own miseries and intollerable duty could suggest or the wit and sagacity of the enemy could invent to make them leave him and abandon the service Besides the many examples shown upon them and their continual want of Pay either of which accidents in an Army is ground enough and has been many times the occasion of mutiny and desertion Nor had he only an excellent and mature judgement for providing and forecasting of businesse but a prompt and ready spirit likewise in matters of present danger and sudden calamity and these things which might have confused another another mans understanding as such sudden chances often doe were a whetting to his wit There are many stratagems in several Histories related which in the heat of action have been put in practice for the regaining of a day already lost or in danger to be so As that of Jugurtha a politick and valiant Prince who in the heat of a battel betwixt him and Marius the Roman Consul rode up and down in the head of the Army showing his bloody sword and affirming that he had slain Marius with his own hand which word did so encourage the Numidians and amaze the Romans that had not Marius in time appeared that day had been in hazard It is likewise reported of one of the Roman Captains that he flung his Standard amongst the middle of the enemie that his own Souldiers by pressing forward to rescue it might break and disorder the enemy Likewise of another that took the bridles off the horse-heads that every man might be a like valiant and charge as we say without fear or wit But beyond all these in my opinion was that device of the Marquesses who at Alderne being in a great straight one wing of his Army being routed and the other in a very staggering condition he did so incense that which was yet whole with the feigned success of the other that they valiantly charged the enemy and put the businesse again into an even ballance And very like was it to that device of Tullus Hostilius who being deserted by Metius King of the Albans told his souldiers he had don 't of purpose to try them and by that means turned their fear into indignation He was exceeding constant and loving to those that did adhere to him and to those he knew very affable though his carriage which indeed was not ordinary did make him seem proud Nor can his enemies lay any greater fault to his charge than his insatiable desire of honour which he did pursue with as handsome and heroick actions as ever any did and such as had neither admixtion of avarice or self-ends though he was therewith by some most unworthily branded For these and the like vertues of which he was the rich possessour he was lamented all Christendom over by all sorts of men since his death too by those who had the greatest hand in 't though their successe at that time did animate their cruelty Nescia mens hominum fati sortisque futureae Et servare modum rebus sublata secundis The Speech of Collonel William Sybbald intended by him to have been spoken on the Scaffold at the time of his Execution at Edinborough Jan. 7. 1650. but hearing that Liberty would not be given him to speak so freely he gave a Copie of it to a special friend GEntlemen I am brought this day to this place to pay a debt to Nature before it be due and by the malice and cruelty of my mercylesse enemies I am sentenced to dye as a Traytor to my Country for endeavouring to do service for my King on whose happinesse and wel-fare does depend the wel-fare of these Kingdoms and to whom I am bound both by the Law of God and man to perform all faithful and loyal service And as the cause for which I suffer proclames my loyalty so their Sentence does declare to all the world their disloyalty and their intentions against the King Their self-guiltinesse makes cowardly spirits cruel and such was their proceedings against me as that I could not obtain an Advocate to plead for me nor any man skilful in the Laws either to advise with me or to write my Defence though they knew me to be ignorant of the Laws Thus is my innocencie and integrity betrayed partly by their malice and my own ignorance The truth is they did profer to do me any courtesie or favour if I would make an ingenuous confession that is accuse some Noblemen and Gentlemen of keeping correspondency with his Majesty or with the Marquesse of Montrose
which if I had done I deserved to have been branded with perpetual infamy for I never knew any man in this Kingdome that did keep correspondency with them neither had I Commission from his Majesty or the Marquesse of Montrose to treat with any I did indeed speak with some Noblemen and Gentlemen because I was formerly obliged unto them for their love to me and did expect from them some small assistance to furnish me in my journey but I never spake with them concerning the publike Affairs no further than the weekly Gazets made known to all the world if these great Fish could have been taken in our Statesmens Nets it might have been that such a Minim as I should have escaped the Bayliff of the Fish-markets hand this day I have been from my youth a Souldier and though that Calling in it self be honourable yet men in that Calling have greater occasions and provocations to sin than in any private Calling Besides naturally my youth led me to some abominable sins and custom in them did for many years detain me captive unto them so that I cannot but confesse that to me appertaineth shame and confusion in this life and damnation of soul and body eternally in Hell fire if God should deal with me according to my desert my comfort is that the blood of my Saviour cries lowder in his ears for mercy than my sins doe for vengeance and that he who hath promised a free pardon and remission unto all penitent sinners through faith in Jesus Christ will purge and cleanse my Soul from all uncleanesse and deliver me from all blood-guiltinesse by the blood of his Son our Saviour The true sorrow that I find in my Soul for my former sins and that godly resolution and stedfast purpose I have to lead a new life if it please God to continue it together with the joy the patience and the courage I have to suffer gives me some assurance of this blessed hope that through faith in Christ Jesus my Saviour my penitent Soul though sinful shall be saved And as for my Religion I die as I lived a true Protestant this Religion I thank God as it preserved me from Popish Superstition so it kept me from being seduced by the Novelties of the times and from being deluded with the wicked Doctrine which is now taught by the Reformers of the Kirk It was this Religion which did keep my hand from your Covenant of which in the space of some five years you gave two interpretations quite contradictory for in the year 1639. the Assembly did affirm as appears by our Acts of Parliament and Assembly that in all causes whatsoever you were to defend and maintain the person and dignity of your King but in the year 1644. you limit your obedience to your King to your Religion Laws and Liberty and make your selves in all differences between the King and you both Judge and Party The Religion in which I was bred taught me to give both to God and my King their due it taught me to honour and worship God and to expect Salvation through Christ and to live soberly and to deal justly with all men I ever hated that Religion which made Saints or Angels sharers with God in his worship or men partakers with my Redeemer in the work of my Redemption or that made our Christian liberty a cloak of maliciousnesse and though naturally I inclined to evill and wicked company drew me to most hainous and filthy sins yet I thank God I hated that Religion that taught impiety and wickednesse Rebellion Murther and Injustice or that approved the killing of Kings and their loyal Subjects for their loyalty as having its original rather from the Devill who was a murtherer from the beginning than from God and I did ever esteem it more aggreable to mans sinfull and corrupted nature than to Gods holy Word I have heard a learned man say that it were better to deny God to be than to believe him to be such an one who delights in the bloody sacrifices of men and women or to think that he is such an one who delights in cruelty and murther the God whom we serve and worship is the Savior of the world the peserver of man the Redeemer of Man-kind the avenger of his blood I have been taught from Gods word that he hath no pleasure in wickednesse neither shall any evil dwell with him undoubtedly such bloody Sacrifices cannot be pleasing or acceptable to him for they are repugnant to his nature and contradictory to the Justice and equity of his holy Law It is my greatest grief at this time I did not walk according to the purity of my Religion and the holinesse of God who hath called us to the knowledge of his truth Therefore let me entreat you to pray unto God with me and for me that he would be pleased to pardon my many and great sins that he would purge my soul with the blood of his Son from the guilt and pollution of all my sins that I may be presented unto my heavenly Father without spot or wrinkle holy without blemish that he would receive me through the merits of my Saviour into everlasting peace and into the glorious estate of his chosen Saints in heaven O Lord into thy hands I commend my soul Lord Jesu receive my spirit O merciful Father forgive my Enemies and lay not this sin to their charge Amen FINIS Upon the Death of King Charls the First GReat Good and Just could I but Rate My Griefs and Thy too Rigid fate I 'de weep the world to such a strain As it should Deluge once again But Since Thy loud-tongu'd blood demands supplys More from Briareus Hands than Argus eys I le sing Thy Obsequies with trumpet Sounds And write Thy Epitaph with Blood and Wounds MONTROSE Written with the point of his Sword